The Kountze toddler may have been diagnosed with cavernous angiomas in June, and though lack of balance is a symptom, she doesn't let that stop her from enjoying running across the playground - even if she stumbles.

Williams crawled all over the playground equipment Friday at the Kountze City Park, catching herself when she lost her balance and imitating the sound of a bear in between giggles.

Her mother, Brandy Williams, said she's learned a lot about the disease, which is abnormal blood vessels in the brain, after doctors discovered that was the reason Tessa wasn't developing as quickly as children her age.

Williams said she's grateful her daughter only experiences minor symptoms. Cavernous angiomas can cause seizures, headaches and other disabilities, and the only current treatment is brain surgery, she said. However, after learning more about the disease that affects about 0.2 percent of

the general population, she wanted to raise money to help find a cure.

Williams has organized a walk for Angioma Alliance, a nonprofit organization working to inform, support and empower people affected by cavernous angiomas and drive research for a cure. Registration is at 8:30 a.m. Saturday at Kountze City Park. Participants will pay $10, though children walk free.

The community will be alongside Tessa Williams, who walks with her mother almost every day at the park to gain strength and work on her coordination. Tessa Williams currently has seven of the spots on her brain and will undergo a MRI every year to keep an eye on their development, Williams said.

The lesions can be found in the brain, spinal cord and other areas of the body including the skin and retina, according to Angioma Alliance's website. Cavernous angiomas occurs in one of every 500 to 600 people and can cause neurological deficits such as weaknesses in arms or legs, vision problems, balance problems, or memory and attention problems. Williams said she and her husband starting noticing Tessa's physical abilities were a little behind children her age so they enrolled her in physical and speech therapy. The therapy helped a lot, but just to be sure, the doctors ran an MRI to check for the disease, Williams said.

"We were thinking nothing would come back," she said. "We were shocked."

Williams said they now have to keep an eye to ensure she doesn't start developing seizures. It's a little unnerving, she said, adding it is a lot like a waiting game. Will it get or worse or stay the same? She's scheduled for another MRI in December.

She said to most people Tessa just looks clumsy. Tessa is always outside playing with her six-year-old brother, an act that warms her heart, Williams said.